The Saints, who will not take the field until the 2014 season, signed 56 players on Wednesday, including linebacker Reco Smith and defensive tackle Rod Oglesby Jr. from defending 4A Division I state champion Gaffney. All of the signees will have redshirt seasons this year and will be able to practice in preparation for next season.

Limestone head coach Bobby James said his staff would take advantage of the time to get the incoming players in the weight room and get them acquainted with the Saints’ system and the demands of playing NCAA Division II football.

“This will be a great time for getting guys bigger, stronger and faster,” James said. “They are learning our schemes from the ground up and getting starter reps from day one. That’s a huge plus for the guys coming in. They are the foundation, the leaders.”

Smith, a 6-1, 195-pounder, had 86 tackles, three for loss, a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery and four pass breakups in helping Gaffney to a 12-3 record and the state title this past season.

Oglesby, 6-0, 260, had 46 tackles, nine for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles and two pass breakups.

The 6-2, 175-pound Ziegler passed for more than 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns in leading the Panthers to a 4-6 record this past season. He was named the Herald-Journal/GoUpstate Preps player of the week after throwing for five touchdowns and rushing for two against Saluda, and again after throwing six touchdown passes and running for one score against Woodruff.

Limestone’s goal was to sign 50 players in its initial class. The Saints exceeded that goal, James said, because of the reception the program has received from high school coaches around the state.

“They’ve opened their arms to us,” James said. “They’ve gotten us films, transcripts, everything we need.”

James said convincing players to join a start-up program wasn’t a tough sell.

“The ones coming in now are going to be a part of something new, and that really excites a lot of guys,” he said. “They have a chance to make history, whether it’s the first tackle or the first touchdown catch. The biggest hurdle for us is going to be living up to the academic and athletic success that other teams have shown here at Limestone, so we were looking for guys who are motivated to excel in the classroom and on the athletic field.”

<p>Limestone College snared a couple of defensive gems from its own backyard in building its first recruiting class.</p><p>The Saints, who will not take the field until the 2014 season, signed 56 players on Wednesday, including linebacker Reco Smith and defensive tackle Rod Oglesby Jr. from defending 4A Division I state champion Gaffney. All of the signees will have redshirt seasons this year and will be able to practice in preparation for next season.</p><p>Limestone head coach Bobby James said his staff would take advantage of the time to get the incoming players in the weight room and get them acquainted with the Saints' system and the demands of playing NCAA Division II football.</p><p>“This will be a great time for getting guys bigger, stronger and faster,” James said. “They are learning our schemes from the ground up and getting starter reps from day one. That's a huge plus for the guys coming in. They are the foundation, the leaders.”</p><p>Smith, a 6-1, 195-pounder, had 86 tackles, three for loss, a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery and four pass breakups in helping Gaffney to a 12-3 record and the state title this past season.</p><p>Oglesby, 6-0, 260, had 46 tackles, nine for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles and two pass breakups.</p><p>The Saints also reached into Spartanburg County, signing Chapman quarterback Ben Ziegler, Dorman offensive lineman Marques Draper, Woodruff defensive back Cyd Wedman and Greer receiver D'Anta Fleming. They also signed Riverside quarterback T.J. Gurn.</p><p>The 6-2, 175-pound Ziegler passed for more than 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns in leading the Panthers to a 4-6 record this past season. He was named the Herald-Journal/GoUpstate Preps player of the week after throwing for five touchdowns and rushing for two against Saluda, and again after throwing six touchdown passes and running for one score against Woodruff.</p><p>Limestone's goal was to sign 50 players in its initial class. The Saints exceeded that goal, James said, because of the reception the program has received from high school coaches around the state.</p><p>“They've opened their arms to us,” James said. “They've gotten us films, transcripts, everything we need.”</p><p>James said convincing players to join a start-up program wasn't a tough sell.</p><p>“The ones coming in now are going to be a part of something new, and that really excites a lot of guys,” he said. “They have a chance to make history, whether it's the first tackle or the first touchdown catch. The biggest hurdle for us is going to be living up to the academic and athletic success that other teams have shown here at Limestone, so we were looking for guys who are motivated to excel in the classroom and on the athletic field.”</p>